Lung cancer cell line producing cytokeratin 19 fragment and sialyl Lewis X-i antigen

A new human lung large cell carcinoma cell line producing cytokeratin 19 fragment(CYFRA) and sialyl Lewis X-i antigen(SLX), designated TKB-13, was established from a patent in our laboratory. The cell line grew in a monolayer and had a polygonal epitheloid appearance in phase-contrast microscopy. The doubling time of TKB-13 cells was approximately 32 hours in Dulbecco's minimal essential medium with 5% fetal bovine serum. TKB-13 cells could be transplanted to nude mice and the histological characteristics were the same as those of resected tissue from the primary site. Positive reactions for CYFRA and for SLX were seen within the cytoplasm of TKB-13 cells by immunocytochemical staining. Both CYFRA and SLX were detected in the culture supernatant. Our results suggested that TKB-13 cell line is available for experimental studies on the biological behavior of non-small cell lung cancer.